A.N: Sorry this took a bit to finish but I did get stuck on what to say since it was more of a fluff chapter. Next chapter will be better since we will be meeting the other characters like Zuko and will start to really get into the story.
It had been three days before I decided to leave my room and when I did it was only to grab some food and then I headed straight back to my room. I still was angry at my father who decided to take the both of us to the Fire Nation. Why would he do such a thing? From what I heard from the adults back in the tribe the Fire Nation is filled with terrible people. They said that the Fire Nation would send soldiers to the other nations and burn everything. My father also told me that he himself was in trouble with the Fire Army and that if they caught him he would be taken away to a prison. Did my father really think that the best place for us and did mother or Uncle knew about this plan?
My thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock on my door. Since there was only one other person on the small vessel I knew it was my father coming to talk to me. So far my father has seem to respect my privacy since over last three days he hasn't tried to talk to me which was nice. I did need time away from him because if I had to face him I probably would attack him.
"Lee, can we talk? There are some things I need to tell you." I wasn't sure what to say. Part of me was still very upset with my father but another part of me was remembering something that Paku taught about water. Water is the element of change. Water never stays at rest it keeps a steady flow and is ready to change course when presented with an obstacle is placed in front of it. When Paku told me this he was reminding that I should not dwell on things since we cannot change the past. Instead we must go with what the spirits give us. I decided I would try restraining my anger long enough to hear out my father so I went to the door and opened it.
My father looked so relieved when I opened the door. I guess he thought I still wouldn't be willing to talk to him. The first thing that he did after I open the door was giving me a hug. "I'm sorry about what has happened, son, but your mother and I believed this was the best thing to do"
"Mother knew about the idea of taking me to the Fire Nation?"
"Yes she did. She was the one to convince me of the idea." I just stared at my father after he said that.
"Why?" That's all I could think to ask him.
"Son I think you should sit down since it's a long story, "I sat on my cot while he started story while he paced in my small room," As you know son I was once part of the Fire Army but I did not leave like I have told the tribe. I still am part of the army but I have never truly supported the ideals of the army. I forced into to it because my father your grandfather was an important General for the Firelord so I had no choice but to join. I was expected to become a General like my father but I could never kill another person with my hands. My father knew this and made me be a spy which was better. All I did was inform the army the information they needed to know and I was quite good at it. Some even said I was one of the best spies in the army which meant I was given top priority missions.
At one point talk about an invasion of the Northern Water Tribe came up but the problem was the spies that were sent never reported back so it was eventually decided that I would have to go. From what I heard the mission was suicide so I tried talking to my father about moving me somewhere else but he refused saying how it would look bad for his honor. That's when I realized how my father never really cared about me. Since I couldn't get out of the mission without the Fire Army coming after me I went to the tribe but instead of spying I tried make a living there and wait until the invasion plan was forgotten in the Fire Nation.
A few months ago my friend in the Fire Nation told me it would be a good time for me to come back and that was when your mother and I started to think about taking you from the tribe. Pakku told us about the other kids bullying you and we knew it would just get worse but we couldn't go to the Earth Kingdom because the Fire Army would make it dangerous to live there. Lee, the Fire Nation will be safe with my connections and you will be able to get a better education. I promise it will better than you think and I will find a way for you to see your mother and Uncle again." I just sat there on my cot taking in everything my father just said. I guess I could understand why he was doing these things. After Kim my father has been so determined to keep me safe and if he believes the Fire Nation is best I will believe too.
My father noticed me in thought and started to leave when I said, "Father."
"Yes Lee," That's when I decided to run up to him and gave him a tight hug.
"I miss mom"
"I do to." After a few seconds my father told I should go rest since it was getting late and then left my room.
I decided not to go to bed since I wasn't that tired which makes sense since I had been in my room for three days not doing much. Instead of bed I went to the deck and practiced my waterbending since this voyage would be my only place to practice bending for a long time.
The ocean seemed choppy and rocked the boat back in forth but it did not hinder my bending for the most part. I took a break after finishing my forms and just lay on the deck of the boat and watched the water and its movement. I could see the mountains of the Earth Kingdom and they were a great sight. I was actually surprised how well we were making time on the trip since usually it took some waterbending to make it from the Water capital to the northern Earth Kingdom coast but my father always seemed to be lucky with the winds.
I decided to keep practicing my bending and without even realizing it the night was over and the sun was beginning to rise in the east. That's when I heard my father come out from below deck. He didn't seem to notice me and sat down by the wheel of the ship and began to mediate as the Sun's rays reach his skin. I have seen him do this in the North Pole and always been interested in it but never had time to ask him since I usually had waterbending at dawn. I walked over to where he was and sat down and tried to mimic him. I knew I had to try clearing my mind for meditation to really work but that's easier said than done and I eventually gave up when I realized I was just falling asleep instead of meditating. I was getting up to go to below deck and then my room when my father said without opening his eyes, "It takes a lot of training and patience to mediate but it's worth it. If you want I can try helping you with it."
I thought about this for a second and responded with, "That would be great," I then proceeded to my room since I was so tired. It soon became a routine in which I would waterbend through the night then mediate with my father at sunrise then go to sleep. It was definitely an odd routine but it was simple which is good in my opinion.
Three months after beginning our journey we were finally entering Fire Nation waters. Along our way I saw many cool sites and people. I even saw pirates. The part I enjoyed most was seeing the many different ships which I was surprised that there were so many kinds. There was one kind of ship I was not so keen with and that was the giant metal ships of the Fire Nation. There dark metal did not seem right compare to the wood of the Earth Kingdom Ships plus many of those ships carried scary looking people on them.
After being in the Fire Nation waters for an hour or so we were then approached by one of the metal ships and it kept coming to our ship. When it was closer a man yelled something to my father about our ship being boarded and searched which freaked me out. While the soldiers were looking around on our ship the man who seemed in charge walked over to my father. On first glance of him I got a bad vibe from him. He seemed to be the average description of a firebender pale skin and black hair in a top knot but he did have massive sideburns which seemed really weird.
"Greetings, I am Lieutenant Zhao. We are here checking any non-Fire Nation ships in to make sure there is no harmful cargo. So who may I ask you are?"
My father shaked Zhao's hand Zhao introduced himself then replied with," Nice to meet you Captain Zhao. I am Colonel Makoto and this is my son Lee. I hope this search will not take long since I have places I need at."
Zhao's expression was completely surprised and for a few moments he was speechless. After recovering from his shock Zhao called his soldiers back and left our ship and we set sailed for the coast that could just been seen. My father rested a hand on my shoulder and gazed ahead with me and muttered something like, "I cannot believe I'm back."
